Electronic frame and image displaying method of electronic frame

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an electronic frame and an image displaying method of an electronic frame. The electronic frame according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention detects, through an optical sensing unit, parts that are hidden by a frame, sets only a display area that is not hidden by the frame as a valid area, resizes an image so that the image matches the valid area of the display, and displays the image. Accordingly, even if the size of the frame is changed, a phenomenon in which a part of the image is not shown due to the frame could be prevented, as an image-resizing is adjustably performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2016/001776, filed Feb. 24, 2016, whichclaims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0102159, filedJul. 20, 2015, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic frame and an imagedisplaying method of electronic frame.

BACKGROUND ART

The electronic frame (digital photo frame) means an apparatus fordisplaying data of image photographed by a digital image photographingapparatus (for example, a digital camera, a mobile phone, etc.) on aliquid crystal display (LCD) or the like.

The electronic frame may provide the function of a frame or an album ofa photograph regardless of the attributes of the image such asresolution and color.

The electronic frame may display an image read from an embedded memorycard or an image received through a wired or wireless network such asthe Internet.

On the other hand, the LCD of the electronic frame may have parts hiddenby a frame. Accordingly, when the image is displayed according to theresolution of the LCD of the electronic frame, there is a problem thatparts of the displayed image are hidden by the frame, so that the useris provided with a partially cut-out image.

Further, in the case of the electronic frame provided in an assemblytype, various frames having different sizes (horizontal length andvertical length) may be used. Accordingly, when displaying an imagecorresponding to the resolution of the LCD, there is a problem thatparts of the image hidden by the frame can also be changed according tothe type of the frame.

Therefore, it has been required to develop an intuitive interface forsetting, changing, and selecting image to be output, and it is necessaryto meet the needs of users who want to use various electronic framesmore conveniently.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentionedproblems and other problems.

An object of the present invention is to automatically recognize theparts of the image hidden by the frame of the electronic frame when theimage is displayed corresponding to the resolution of the display,thereby providing to the user without image which is hidden by theframe.

An object of the present invention is to automatically recognize theparts hidden by the frame and resize and display the image to anappropriate size, thereby adjusting parts where the image is displayedon the display to fit the size of the frame.

An object of the present invention is to automatically recognize anactive area of the display corresponding to the size of the framealthough the display size of the electronic frame is fixed and only theframe is changed and automatically adjust an area in which an image isdisplayed on the display.

Technical Solution

In an aspect of the present invention, an electronic frame includes adisplay for displaying an image; a frame supporting the display along anedge of the display; an optical sensor disposed at a position having anarea where at least a part of the edge areas of the display overlap withthe frame; and a controller configured to calculate a first area hiddenby the frame in the display according to a sensing signal of the opticalsensor, resize a size of the image to match a size of a second area inthe display aside from the first area and display the resized image inthe second area.

The optical sensor may include a transparent film sensor for detecting acurrent due to light transmission, and the transparent film sensor isattached to a vertex area in which a first edge and a second edge of thedisplay intersect.

The vertex area to which the transparent film sensor is attached mayinclude a crossing area in which a first frame supporting the first edgeand a second frame supporting the second edge intersect, and a displayarea not hidden by the frame.

The controller may be configured to recognize, as the first area, anarea where a current of a predetermined value or more is not detecteddue to the light is not transmitted by the frame; and recognize, as thesecond area, an area where a current of the predetermined value or moreis detected due to the light transmission.

The vertex area to which the transparent film sensor is attached may bea crossing area in which a first frame supporting the first edge and asecond frame supporting the second edge intersect.

The display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), and thetransparent film sensor may recognize, as the first area, an areathrough which light of a backlight unit of the liquid crystal display istransmitted when the image is displayed on the display.

The transparent film sensor may comprise a first transparent film sensorattached to a first vertex area in which the first edge and the secondedge of the display intersect; and a second transparent film sensorattached to a second vertex area in which a third edge and a fourth edgeof the display intersect.

The transparent film sensor may be a transparent photovoltaic film.

The electronic frame may further comprise a memory, wherein thecontroller may be configured to store a scale factor for resizing theimage according to a size of the first area in a memory; resize theimage to be displayed on the display based on the scale factor; anddisplay the resized image on the second area.

The scale factor may be changed according to the size of the frame.

The controller may be configured to display a marker includinginformation on the scale factor on the display with the image.

The electronic frame may further comprise a wireless communication unit,wherein the controller maybe configured to transmit the information onthe scale factor to an external terminal through the wirelesscommunication unit upon request of the external terminal; and receivethe resized image based on the scale factor from the external terminalthrough the wireless communication unit.

The electronic frame may further comprise a wireless communication unitfor receiving the image data, and wherein the image may be received froman external terminal through the wireless communication unit.

In another aspect of the present invention, an image displaying methodof electronic frame includes displaying an image on a display; detectinga sensing signal of an optical sensor attached to an edge of thedisplay; calculating a first area hidden by the frame in the displayaccording to a sensing signal of the optical sensor; resizing a size ofthe image to match a size of a second area in the display aside from thefirst area; and displaying the resized image in the second area.

The calculating the first area may comprise setting a scale factor forresizing the image according to a size of the first area; and storingthe scale factor in the memory.

The method may further comprise, when a second image which is a nextimage of a first image is displayed on the display after the first imagedisplayed on the display is resized based on the scale factor, resizingthe second image based on the scale factor; and displaying the secondimage on the second area.

Advantageous Effects

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the active area ofthe display can be automatically adjusted corresponding to the size ofthe frame.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the partsof the image hidden by the frame of the electronic frame isautomatically recognized when the image is displayed corresponding tothe resolution of the display, thereby providing to the user without theparts hidden by the frame.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the partshidden by the frame are automatically recognized and the image isresized and displayed to an appropriate size, thereby adjusting partswhere the image is displayed on the display to fit the size of theframe.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the activearea of the display corresponding to the size of the frame isautomatically recognized although the display size of the electronicframe is fixed and only the frame is changed and the area in which theimage is displayed on the display is automatically adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system for explaining the operationof an electronic frame according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic frame according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic frame body.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of displaying an image of anelectronic frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an electronic frame according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating a state in which the transparentfilm sensor is attached.

FIG. 8 is a view for specifically explaining a first area 201 hidden bya frame and a second area 203 not hidden by a frame among the displayareas.

FIGS. 9 to 11 are views for explaining a process of distinguishing thefirst region and the second region by an optical sensor.

FIGS. 12 to 13 are a cross-sectional view and a plan view for explaininga state in which an optical sensor is arranged according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14 to 15 are views for explaining another example of recognizingan area hidden by a frame, in accordance with the arrangement structureof the optical sensor disclosed in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining an example of displaying a resizedimage in consideration of an area hidden by a frame according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining an example of displaying an image on anelectronic frame according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to thedrawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with thesame reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. Ingeneral, a suffix such as “module” and “unit” may be used to refer toelements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intendedto facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself isnot intended to give any special meaning or function. In the presentdisclosure, that which is well-known to one of ordinary skill in therelevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. Theaccompanying drawings are used to help easily understand varioustechnical features and it should be understood that the embodimentspresented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such,the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations,equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularlyset out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may beused herein to describe various elements, these elements should not belimited by these terms. These terms are generally only used todistinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected with” another element, the element can be connected with theother element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly connected with”another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless itrepresents a definitely different meaning from the context.

Terms such as “include” or “has” are used herein and should beunderstood that they are intended to indicate an existence of severalcomponents, functions or steps, disclosed in the specification, and itis also understood that greater or fewer components, functions, or stepsmay likewise be utilized.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system for explaining the operationof an electronic frame according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system may include an electronic frame 100 (100a, 100 b, 100 c), a server 1, and an image capturing device 20 (20 a, 20b, 20 c).

The server 1 may transmit image data to the electronic frame 100 througha wired/wireless network. The image data stored in the server 1 may betransmitted from the image capturing device 20 and transmitted fromanother electronic apparatus connected to the server 1.

The server 1 may manage accounts of a plurality of users. A plurality ofusers may include a user of the electronic frame 100. The server 100 maytransmit the image data of the user of the electronic frame 100 to theelectronic frame 100. The image data of the user may be image dataassociated with the account of the user of the electronic frame 100 ofthe server 1.

The server 1 may include a plurality of cloud servers providing cloudservices. The image data of the server 1 may be image data uploaded tothe account of the user of the electronic frame 100. The server 1 canprovide an interface through which the image capturing device 20 canupload image data to the server 1 via a web or the like. The server 1may provide an interface through which the electronic frame 100 candownload image data from the server 1. The interface may be provided inthe image capturing device 20 to upload image data to the server 1 ordownload image data from the server 1, through a interface operation ofthe user.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, theserver 1 may store information on a positional relationship between aplurality of electronic frames. The server (1) can transmit image datato a plurality of electronic frames based on the positional relationshipbetween the plurality of electronic frames.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, theserver 1 may store frame size information and display size informationof each of the plurality of electronic frames 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c.For example, the display size of the first electronic frame 100 a may be5*7 inches, but the display size shown to the user, except for the areahidden by the frame supporting the display along the edges, may actuallybe smaller than 5*7 inches. In the case of the server 1 transmits theimage to the first electronic frame 100 a after storing a ratioinformation according to the display size and the frame size, the server1 may resize the image based on the ratio. Accordingly, the firstelectronic frame 100 a may display the resized image received from theserver 1 without a separate image resizing process.

Frame size information and display size information of the secondelectronic frame 100 b and the third electronic frame 100 c may also bestored in the server 1. The server 1 may transmit the image to eachelectronic frame after the image resizing process by varying the ratioaccording to the size of the frame and the display size, even if thesame image is used.

As described above, the server 1 may transmit the resized image to theelectronic frame, but an embodiment described in the following specificdrawings relates to the electronic frame itself resizes and displays theimage so that the area hidden by the frame, does not exist.

The image capturing device 20 is an apparatus for generating image data.The image capturing device 20 can generate image data including asubject by photographing the subject using a camera.

The image capturing device 20 may include a mobile terminal 20 a, adigital camera 20 b, a camcorder 20 c, and the like.

The image capturing device 20 may store information on the positionalrelationship among the plurality of electronic frames. The imagecapturing device 20 may transmit an image photographed to the pluralityof electronic frames so as to be displayed based on the positionalrelationship between the plurality of electronic frames.

Meanwhile, the image capturing device 20 may get the information on thepositional relationship among the plurality of electronic frames andtransmit the information to the server 1. When the server 1 transmitsthe image to the electronic frame 100, the server 1 may transmit theimage based on the information on the positional relationship.

When the image capturing device 20 transmits image data to theelectronic frame 100, the image capturing device 20 may transmit thesame image data to the server 1. That is, the server 1, the imagecapturing device 20, and the electronic frame 100 may perform datasynchronization between data transmission and reception.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic frame according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic frame 100 is shown having componentssuch as a wireless communication unit 110, a sensing unit 120, a powersupply unit 130, an interface 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, anda controller 170. It is understood that implementing all of theillustrated components is not a requirement, and that greater or fewercomponents may alternatively be implemented.

Specifically, the wireless communication unit 110 may include one ormore modules for enabling wireless communication between the electronicframe 100 and the wireless communication system, between the electronicframe 100 and the server 1, or between the electronic frame 100 and theimage capturing device 20. Further, the wireless communication unit 110may include one or more modules that connect the electronic frame 100 toone or more networks.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronicframe 100 may perform data communication with the server 1 and/or theimage capturing device 20 through the wireless communication unit 110.That is, the electronic frame 100 may transmit information on thepositional relationship among the plurality of electronic frames to theserver 1 and/or the image capturing device 20, and receive the imagefrom the server 1 and/or the image capturing device 20, and display theimage.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include a short-rangecommunication module 114. The short-range communication module 114 maysense (or recognize), Around the first electronic frame (100 a in FIG.1), a second electronic frame (100 b in FIG. 1) and a third electronicframe (10 c in FIG. 1) capable of communicating with the firstelectronic frame 100 a. Further, the controller 170 may receive theposition information of the second electronic frame 100 b and the thirdelectronic frame 100 c through the short-distance communication module111.

The controller 170 may sense the distances of the second electronicframe 100 b and the third electronic frame 100 c from the firstelectronic frame 100 a based on the intensity of the signal receivedthrough the short distance communication module. When the firstelectronic frame 100 a is connected to the second electronic frame 100 band the third electronic frame 100 c via the short-range communicationmodule, the controller 170 may receive the frame size (Length*Width) ofthe second electronic frame 100 b and the frame size (Length*Width) ofthe third electronic frame 100 c from the second electronic frame 100 b.Accordingly, the first electronic frame 100 a may confirm information onthe positional relationship between the first electronic frame 100 a andother electronic frames in the vicinity.

The first electronic frame 100 a may share the information on thepositional relationship among the electronic frames with the secondelectronic frame 100 b, the third electronic frame 100 c, the server 1,and the image capturing device 20.

The sensor 120 may include at least one sensor for sensing at least oneof information in the electronic frame 100, surrounding informationsurrounding the electronic frame, and user information. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the sensor 120 may include anillumination sensor 121 and a optical sensor 123.

The illumination sensor 121 is provided in a part of the frame of theelectronic frame 100 to measure the ambient brightness of the electronicframe 100. According to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the controller 170 may control the brightness characteristicsof the image displayed on the electronic frame 100 based on the valuesensed through the illumination sensor 121.

The optical sensor 123 may sense light incident on a front glass side ofthe display or sense light emitted from the pixel of the display itself.

All displays have a layer that arranges pixels representing thebrightness and color in a matrix structure and forms a display area, anda front glass for protecting the layer. The front glass may beintegrated with the layer.

The optical sensor 123 may be attached to a part of the display frontsurface (front glass) in the form of a transparent film. The feature,which is automatically recognized the area hidden by the frame throughthe transparent film type optical sensor attached to the display frontsurface, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 15.

A method for resizing the image through the optical sensor will bedescribed in detail reference to FIGS. 5 to 11. Another method forresizing the image through the optical sensor will be described indetail reference to FIGS. 12 to 15.

The optical sensing unit 123 may be disposed on the front glass or onthe front or rear surface of the layer so as to correspond to the matrixarrangement matched an arbitrary area of the display. Although notshown, the optical sensor 123 may include a sensing detection unit (notshown) and an effective data processing unit (not shown). The sensingdetection unit recognizes the position on the matrix array of theoptical sensor for performing the sensing operation when the sensingsignal is generated according to the sensing operation of the incominglight. The effective data processing unit electrically converts theintensity of the light sensing signal when the sensing signal isgenerated according to a sensing operation of the incident light in theoptical sensor 123 and compares the intensity of the sensing signal withthe intensity of a predetermined reference signal to determine thevalidity of the sensing operation.

The power supply unit 130 receives external power and internal powerunder the control of the controller 170 and supplies power required foroperation of the respective components. The power supply unit 130 mayinclude a battery, and the battery may be configured to be embedded inthe terminal body, or configured to be detachable from the electronicframe 100 for recharging. The power supply unit 130 may include aconnection port. The connection port may be configured as one example ofthe interface 140 to which an external charger for supplying power torecharge the battery is electrically connected.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when theconnection port meet a certain condition, it can be charged by beingdrawn out from the body of the electronic frame 100 and engaging with acharging station.

For example, the charging station may be located at the bottom of theliving room, and the electronic frame 100 may be spaced a certaindistance from the charging station and mounted on the living room wall.When the living room lighting is perceived to be dark, the connectionport can be drawn out from the electronic frame 100 toward the chargingstation to be engaged with the charging station. When the charging ofthe power supply unit 130 is completed, the connection port can beseparated from the charging station and can be drawn into the body ofthe electronic frame 100.

Meanwhile, the connection port of the power supply unit may be connectedto another electronic frame in the vicinity.

As another example, the power supply unit 130 may be configured torecharge the battery in a wireless manner without use of the connectionport. In this example, the power supply unit 130 can receive power,transferred from an external wireless power transmitter, using at leastone of an inductive coupling method which is based on magnetic inductionor a magnetic resonance coupling method which is based onelectromagnetic resonance.

The interface 140 may serve as a path allowing the electronic frame 100to interface with external devices. For example, the interface 140 mayinclude at least one of an external charger port, a wired/wireless dataport, a memory card, and a port for connecting a device having anidentification module. The electronic frame 100 may be controlledthrough the external device connected to the interface 130. The externaldevice may include the server 1, the image capturing device 20, and thelike described with reference to FIG. 1.

The output unit 150 may include at least one of a display 151 and anoptical output module 152 so as to generate output related to vision,audio, etc.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD),an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, athree-dimensional display (3D display) and an electronic ink display(e-ink display).

Meanwhile, the display unit 151 of the electronic frame 100 according toan embodiment of the present invention may include a touch sensor thatsenses a touch to the display unit 151 in order to receive a controlcommand by the touch.

Further, the display 151 may restrict a user's input through the displayunit 151 to stick to the function of the image display of the electronicframe 100. That is, the display unit 151 may not include a touch sensor.

The optical output module 152 is configured to output light fornotifying the occurrence of an event. For example, the event may includea case where the image data is received from the server 1 or the imagecapturing device 20, a case where the positional relationshipinformation is shared with neighboring electronic frames, and a casewhere the battery charging is required, and the like. The controller 170may control the optical output module 152 to terminate the output oflight when an event confirmation of the user is detected.

The memory 160 can store programs to support operations of thecontroller 170 and store input/output data (for example, image data)temporarily.

The memory 160 stores data supporting the function of the electronicframe. The memory 160 may store an application program driven by theelectronic frame 100 (an application program or an application), datafor operation of the electronic frame 100, and instructions. At leastsome of these applications may be downloaded from an external server viawireless communication.

The memory 160 may include one or more types of storage mediumsincluding a Flash memory, a hard disk, a solid state disk, a silicondisk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or DXmemory, etc), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random AccessMemory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read-Only memory(PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and thelike.

The controller 170 controls at least some of the components of theelectronic frame 100 to control the operation of the electronic frame100 as a whole. Further, the controller 170 may control any one or acombination of the above-described components in order to implementvarious embodiments described below on the electronic frame 100according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic frame body.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic frame 100 may include a front body191, a rear body 192, and a display 151 disposed between the front body191 and the rear body 192.

The front body 191, as the frame 10 of the electronic frame thatsupports the display 151 at the front of the display 151, is combinedwith the display 151 to cover the edge of the display 151.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD),an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, athree-dimensional display (3D display) and an electronic ink display(e-ink display).

The display unit 151 may include a touch sensor that senses a touch tothe display unit 151 in order to receive a control command by the touch.

Meanwhile, the display 151 may restrict a user's input through thedisplay unit 151 to stick to the function of the image display of theelectronic frame 100. That is, the display unit 151 may not include atouch sensor.

The rear body 192 is a unit for supporting the display 151 from the rearface, and an internal space for accommodating various electroniccomponents may be provided. The rear body 192 may further include abracket coupling part (not shown) which is coupled with a predeterminedbracket provided on a wall to mount the electronic frame 100 on thewall.

As described above, the body of the electronic frame 100 is divided intothe front body 191 and the rear body 192. Hereinafter, a front body 191supporting the front of the display 151, particularly, the frame 10covering the edge of the display 151 will be regarded as the same as thefront body 191.

The body size of the electronic frame 100 can be determined by the widthL1 and the length L2. For example, the body size may be set to 5*7inches, 8*10 inches, or to cover 23 inches liquid crystal display.

In FIG. 3, the sizes of the frame 10 and the display 151 are configuredto be the same, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, since the display 151 must be supported by the frame, the sizeof the display 151 may be smaller than the size of the frame 10. Forexample, the width and length of the display 151 may be smaller than thewidth and length of the frame 10.

Meanwhile, the optical sensor 123 may be attached to the front surfaceof the display 151 and disposed between the display 151 and the frame10. The optical sensor 123 may be disposed at a vertex area where thefirst edge and the second edge of the display 151 intersect. The display151 in the form of a rectangle or a square has four vertex regions, andthe optical sensor 123, of the four vertex areas, may be arranged in onevertex area or two vertex areas opposed in a diagonal direction.

The number or position of the optical sensor 123 may be appropriatelychanged in consideration of the size and shape of the electronic frame100 and the processing capability of the processor, and the like.

Hereinafter, a specific example in which image data displayed on thedisplay of the electronic frame according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is resized in consideration of parts hidden by theframe will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of displaying an image of anelectronic frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The method of displaying an image of an electronic frame according to anembodiment of the present invention can be implemented in the electronicframe 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Hereinafter, animage displaying method of electronic frame according to an embodimentof the present invention and an operation of the electronic frame 100for implementing the method will be described in detail with referenceto necessary drawings.

Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 170 of the electronic frame 100 maydisplay an image on the display 151 (S100).

The image displayed on the display 151 may be an image stored in thememory 160 or an image received from an external device through thewireless communication unit 110. The image displayed on the display 151may be displayed corresponding to the size of the display 151.

The controller 170 may analyze a sensing signal of the optical sensor(S110).

The optical sensor may be disposed at a position where at least a partof the edge of the display 151 has an area overlapping the frame.

The controller 170 may analyze the sensing signal of the optical sensorto detect a first area hidden by the frame of the display 151 (S120).

Since the front face of the display 151 must be supported by the frame,some of the areas where the image can be displayed on the display 151may be hidden by the frame. The display 151 may include a bezel area.However, when the frame covers the bezel area, some of the effectiveareas where the image is actually displayed may be hidden by the frame.

The optical sensor recognizes the area where the displayed digital imageis covered by the frame, with the digital image displayed in theeffective area of the display. The optical sensor can detect a currentdue to light transmission. Hereinafter, an area of the display 151 ofthe electronic frame 100 where the digital image can be displayed may bereferred to as an effective area of the display.

The incident light may be natural light that is introduced from thefront surface of the electronic frame 100 while the electronic frame ishung on the wall.

The controller 170 may recognize, as the second area, an area where acurrent of the predetermined value or more is detected due to the lighttransmission. That is, the second area may be defined as an area of thedisplay 151 that is not hidden by the frame among valid areas in whichthe image can be displayed.

The controller 170 may recognize, as the first area, an area where acurrent of a predetermined value or more is not detected due to thelight is not transmitted by the frame. That is, the first area may bedefined as an area of the display 151 that is hidden by the frame amongthe valid areas in which the image can be displayed.

Further, the incident light may be light by a backlight unit irradiatedfrom the rear surface of the display 151 in a state that a digital imageis displayed. In this case, the optical sensor attached to the frontsurface of the display 151 can detect the light irradiated from the rearsurface of the display 151 due to the display of the digital image, andcan distinguish a region where a current value of a predeterminedthreshold value or more is detected.

In the embodiment of the present invention, it will be explained inadvance that the arrangement structure of the optical sensors isdifferently described according to the type of light introduced into theoptical sensor.

For example, the optical sensor may be a sensor in the form of atransparent film. When the incident light is natural light, an area ofthe display to which the transparent film sensor is attached may includea crossing area in which a first frame supporting the first edge and asecond frame supporting the second edge intersect, and a display areanot hidden by the frame.

Further, for example, when the incident light on the optical sensor islight by a backlight unit irradiated from the rear surface of thedisplay 151, the transparent film sensor is disposed in an area of thesame size as intersecting area where the first frame supporting thefirst corner of the display 151 and a second frame supporting the secondcorner intersect.

According to the sensing signal analysis of the optical sensor, thecontroller 170 can distinguish the first area hidden by the frame in theeffective display area and the second area aside from the first area.

The controller 170 of the electronic frame 100 may resize the image sothat the size of the image displayed in the effective region includingthe first region and the second region matches the second region inoperation S130. The process of S130 may be performed by the controller170 or an image scaler provided as a module independent of thecontroller 170.

The controller 170 can display the resized image in the second area(S140).

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an electronic frame according to an embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken alongthe line A-A′. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating a state in whichthe transparent film sensor is attached. FIG. 8 is a view forspecifically explaining a first area 201 hidden by a frame and a secondarea 203 not hidden by a frame among the display areas.

Referring to FIG. 5, the size of the display 151 of the electronic frame100 may be determined by four vertexes 151 a, 151 b, 151 c, and 151 d.The display 151 has the four edges and may have a structure in which atleast a part of each edge is hidden by the frame 10 so that the frontface of the display 151 is supported by the frame.

That is, referring to FIG. 6, the longitudinal edges of the display 151are held by an L-shaped frame. As a result, the display 151 can bedivided into an area (first area) hidden by the frame and an area(second area) not hidden by the frame.

Referring again to FIG. 5, a valid area in which the digital image canbe displayed in the display 151 may be a range determined by the fourvertexes 151 a, 151 b, 151 c, and 151 d.

The transparent film sensor 123 may be attached to the first vertex 151a of the four vertices 151 a, 151 b, 151 c, and 151 d. The transparentfilm sensor 123 may have a rectangular shape, and may be attached tocorrespond to the first vertex in order to recognize at which point ofthe display 151 an area where a current of a predetermined thresholdvalue or more is detected due to the light inflow on the transparentfilm sensor 123.

In FIG. 5, the size of the display 151 is shorter than the width andlength of the frame. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto. That is, the display 151 applied to the embodiment of thepresent invention may be equal to the size of the frame.

Referring to FIG. 7, the optical sensor 123 is disposed between thefront surface of the display 151 and the frame 10. The area occupied bythe optical sensor 123 of the display 151 may include an area 201overlapped with the frame and a non-overlapping area 203.

Referring to FIG. 8, the transparent film sensor 123 may include acrossing area 201 (which may correspond to the first area) in which afirst frame 10 a supporting the first edge and a second frame 10 bsupporting the second edge intersect, and a display area 203 (which maycorrespond to the second area) not hidden by the frame. In FIG. 8, thelight detected by the optical sensor 123 may be natural light introducedfrom the front surface of the display 151.

The arrangement structure of the frame 10, the display 151, and theoptical sensor 123 has been described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to7. A process of recognizing parts hidden by the frame in the effectivearea of the display according to the structure of the electronic frameof FIGS. 5 to 7 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.9 to 11.

FIGS. 9 to 11 are views for explaining a process of distinguishing thefirst region and the second region by an optical sensor.

Referring to FIG. 9, the rectangular optical sensor 123 may include aplurality of sensing units 11, 12, . . . , 43, 44 arranged at constantspacing. The positions where the respective sensing units 11, 12, . . ., 43, 44 are disposed may correspond to the pixel positions of thedisplay 151. Thus, the constant spacing may be the spacing between thepixels of the display 151.

When natural light enters the display 151 in the state that a digitalimage is displayed, the sensing units of the first group 11, 12, 21, 22are group exposed by natural light, and the sensing unit of the secondgroup (13, 14, 23, 24, 31, 32, 33, 34, 41, 42, 43, 44) is blocked thenatural light by the frame.

Referring to FIG. 10, a process of recognizing a region hidden by aframe based on the sensing result of the sensing units 11, 12, 13, and14 disposed on a line B-B′ in FIG. 9 will be described.

In the case of the sensing units 11 and 12 included in the first groupamong the sensing units (11, 12, 13, 14) arranged on the line B-B′, thecurrent value I1 equal to or greater than the threshold value Ref can beoutput. On the other hand, in the case of the sensing units 12 and 13included in the second group among the sensing units 11, 12, 13 and 14arranged on the line B-B′, the current values I2 and I3 less than thethreshold value Ref can be output.

The controller 170 analyzes the result of the sensing signal. Thecontroller 170 recognizes the length D1 corresponding to the sensingunits 13 and 14 included in the second group among the sensing units 11,12, 13, and 14 disposed on the line B-B′ as the width hidden by theframe.

Referring to FIG. 11, a process of recognizing a region hidden by aframe based on the sensing result of the sensing units 11, 21, 31, and41 disposed on a line C-C′ in FIG. 9 will be described.

In the case of the sensing units 11 and 21 included in the first groupamong the sensing units (11, 21, 31, 41) arranged on the line C-C′, thecurrent value I4 equal to or greater than the threshold value Ref can beoutput. On the other hand, in the case of the sensing units 31 and 41included in the second group among the sensing units 11, 21, 31, 41arranged on the line C-C′, the current values I5 less than the thresholdvalue Ref can be output.

The controller 170 analyzes the result of the sensing signal. Thecontroller 170 recognizes the length E1 corresponding to the sensingunits 31 and 41 included in the second group among the sensing units 11,21, 31, and 41 disposed on the line C-C′ as the length hidden by theframe.

Accordingly, the controller 170 uses the first vertex 151 a of thedisplay 151 as a reference point and the width D1 and the length E1 asvector components. The controller 170 calculates the size of the vector(SF) by the vector component D1 and a vector component E1 in the scalefactor.

The controller 170 may reduce the image by applying the scale factor SFto the previously displayed image using the first vertex 151 a as areference point.

Meanwhile, The controller 170 may also apply the scale factor SFcalculated for the first vertex 151 a to the remaining vertexes of thedisplay 151 to perform an image resizing process using the same scalefactor for the entire image.

Meanwhile, in the above-described example, a process of image resizingthrough processing of vector components has been described, but thepresent invention is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 12 to 13 are a cross-sectional view and a plan view for explaininga state in which an optical sensor is arranged according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the optical sensor 123 is disposed between thefront surface of the display 151 and the frame 10. The area occupied bythe optical sensor 123 of the display 151 may be an area 201 overlappedwith the frame

Referring to FIG. 13, The optical sensor 123 may be attached to a vertexarea of the display 151. The vertex area to which the optical sensor 123may be an area 205 overlapping the display area among the areas wherethe first frame 10 a supporting the first edge of the display 151 andthe second frame 10 b supporting the second edge intersect.

The display 151 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD). Thecontroller 170 can recognize the area into which the light of thebacklight unit 151 a of the liquid crystal display is incident as thefirst area 205 hidden by the frame of the display 151.

FIGS. 14 to 15 are views for explaining another example of recognizingan area hidden by a frame, in accordance with the arrangement structureof the optical sensor disclosed in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 14, the rectangular optical sensor 123 may include aplurality of sensing units 11, 12, . . . , 32, 33 arranged at constantspacing. The positions where the respective sensing units 11, 12, . . ., 32, 33 are disposed may correspond to the pixel positions of thedisplay 151. Thus, the constant spacing may be the spacing between thepixels of the display 151.

When light (light of a display pixel) is incident on the display 151 bythe backlight unit, all the plurality of sensing units 11, 12, . . . ,32, 33 can output a predetermined current value by the incident light.

Referring to FIG. 15, The sensing result of each of the sensing units11, 12, 13 outputs the current value T1 exceeding the threshold Refreference value. The length D1 occupied by each sensing unit 11, 12, 13recognizes as a width hidden by the frame. The same applies to thelength.

That is, when viewed from the front of the electronic frame 100, all theplurality of sensing units (11, 12, . . . , 32, 33) are parts hidden bythe frames. The sensing unit outputs effective sensing data since lightdue to the display pixels is input. Accordingly, the controller 170 canperform image resizing through the processing of the vector componentsdescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 11 and FIGS. 12 to 15, the electronic frame 100according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured todistinguish area hidden by a frame through the transparent film sensorattached to the front surface of the display and display the imagecorresponding to the size of the area hidden by the frame among thevalid area of the display.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining an example of displaying a resizedimage in consideration of an area hidden by a frame according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, (a) is an exemplary screen in which the firstimage I1 is displayed on the display 151 of the electronic frame 100before the image resizing process according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is performed. (b) is a result IR in which the imageresizing process described in the above-described example is performedon the first image I1. The result IR means that the complete imagecontaining the parts that was hidden by the frame and not visible isdisplayed in the valid area of the display.

Meanwhile, the electronic frame 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention may store the scale factors SF calculated in theprocesses of FIGS. 5 to 11 and 12 to 15 in the memory 160.

Accordingly, the controller 170 can apply the stored scale factor (SF)collectively to the images displayed thereafter to perform the imageresizing process. That is, a processing of the sensing signal of theoptical sensor to calculate an additional scale factor is unnecessary.Once the scale factor (SF) is calculated, the image resizing algorithmby the corresponding scale factor may be applied to all images displayedsubsequently.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining an example of displaying an image on anelectronic frame according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

The electronic frame 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention may display a marker M including the information on the scalefactor SF on the display 151 together with the resized image.

The electronic frame 100 receives the image from an external terminalthrough the wireless communication unit 110 and displays it on thedisplay 151. Therefore, in case of the external device stores the scalefactor information, when the external device transmits the image data tothe electronic frame 100, the image resizing result based on the scalefactor information is transmitted to the electronic frame 100. Theelectronic frame 100 can display a complete image without parts hiddenby the frame, even if the electronic frame 100 displays the receivedimage on the display 151 without any image resizing.

The marker may be provided in the form of a QR code.

Referring to FIG. 17, the external mobile terminal 200 can photographthe electronic frame 100 by a camera. The external mobile terminal 200can request information included in the marker on the electronic frame100 while photographing the electronic frame 100 (1). The electronicframe 100 can transmit the marker information including information onthe scale factor to the external mobile terminal 200 at the request ofthe external mobile terminal 200 (2). The external mobile terminal 200receiving the scale factor information may perform an image resizingprocess on the image to be transmitted to the electronic frame 100 andtransmit the resized image to the electronic frame 100.

Various embodiments may be implemented using a machine-readable mediumhaving instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor toperform various methods presented herein. Examples of possiblemachine-readable mediums include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid StateDisk), SDD (Silicon Disk Drive), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, afloppy disk, an optical data storage device, the other types of storagemediums presented herein, and combinations thereof. If desired, themachine-readable medium may be realized in the form of a carrier wave(for example, a transmission over the Internet). The processor mayinclude the controller of the mobile terminal. The foregoing embodimentsare merely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting thepresent disclosure. The scope of the present invention should bedetermined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and allchanges within the scope of equivalents of the present invention areincluded in the scope of the present invention.

-   -   1: Server 20: Image capturing device    -   100: Electronic frame 151: Display    -   123: Optical sensor 10: Frame    -   170: controller

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic frame comprising: a displayfor displaying an image; a frame supporting the display along edge areasof the display; an optical sensor disposed at a position having an areawhere at least a part of the edge areas of the display overlap with theframe; and a controller configured to: determine a first area hidden bythe frame in the display according to a sensing signal of the opticalsensor; resize the image from a first size to a second size such thatthe second size of the image is to match a size of a second area of thedisplay aside from the first area; and display, in the second area, theresized image having the second size that matches the size of the secondarea.
 2. The electronic frame of claim 1, wherein the optical sensorincludes a transparent film sensor for detecting a current due to lighttransmission, and the transparent film sensor is attached to a vertexarea in which a first edge and a second edge of the display intersect.3. The electronic frame of claim 2, wherein the vertex area to which thetransparent film sensor is attached includes a crossing area in which afirst frame supporting the first edge and a second frame supporting thesecond edge intersect, and a display area not hidden by the frame. 4.The electronic frame of claim 3, wherein the controller is configuredto: recognize, as the first area, an area where a current of apredetermined value or more is not detected due to the light is nottransmitted by the frame; and recognize, as the second area, an areawhere a current of the predetermined value or more is detected due tothe light transmission.
 5. The electronic frame of claim 2, wherein thevertex area to which the transparent film sensor is attached is acrossing area in which a first frame supporting the first edge and asecond frame supporting the second edge intersect.
 6. The electronicframe of claim 5, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display(LCD), and wherein the transparent film sensor recognizes, as the firstarea, an area through which light of a backlight unit of the liquidcrystal display is transmitted when the image is displayed on thedisplay.
 7. The electronic frame of claim 2, wherein the transparentfilm sensor comprises: a first transparent film sensor attached to afirst vertex area in which the first edge and the second edge of thedisplay intersect; and a second transparent film sensor attached to asecond vertex area in which a third edge and a fourth edge of thedisplay intersect.
 8. The electronic frame of claim 2, wherein thetransparent film sensor is a transparent photovoltaic film.
 9. Theelectronic frame of claim 1, further comprising a memory, wherein thecontroller is configured to: store, in a memory, a scale factor forresizing the image according to a size of the first area; resize theimage to be displayed on the display based on the scale factor; anddisplay the resized image on the second area.
 10. The electronic frameof claim 9, wherein the scale factor is changed according to the size ofthe frame.
 11. The electronic frame of claim 9, wherein the controlleris configured to display a marker including information on the scalefactor on the display with the image.
 12. The electronic frame of claim11, further comprising a wireless communication unit, wherein thecontroller is configured to: transmit the information on the scalefactor to an external terminal through the wireless communication unitupon request of the external terminal; and receive the resized imagebased on the scale factor from the external terminal through thewireless communication unit.
 13. The electronic frame of claim 1,further comprising a wireless communication unit for receiving the imagedata, and wherein the image is received from an external terminalthrough the wireless communication unit.
 14. An image displaying methodof an electronic frame comprising: displaying an image on a display;detecting a sensing signal of an optical sensor attached to an edge ofthe display; determining a first area hidden by a frame in the displayaccording to a sensing signal of the optical sensor; resizing the imagefrom a first size to a second size such that the second size is to matcha size of a second area of the display aside from the first area; anddisplaying, in the second area of the display, the resized image havingthe second size that matches the size of the second area.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein the calculating the first area comprises setting ascale factor for resizing the image according to a size of the firstarea and storing the scale factor in a memory.
 16. The method of claim14, further comprising: when a second image is a next image after afirst image is displayed on the display after the first image displayedon the display is resized based on the scale factor, resizing the secondimage based on the scale factor; and displaying the second image on thesecond area.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the optical sensorincludes a transparent film sensor for detecting a current due to lighttransmission, and the transparent film sensor is attached to a vertexarea in which a first edge and a second edge of the display intersect.